The TIRET Club is thriving! As I end my first year as president, let's step back through all our accom- plishments and pass out some accolades. Expect more of the same dedication from the board in 2012.

If anyone deserves a pat on the back, it's our day trip coordinator, Jeanne Brandt. She has presented us all with a splendid selection of day trips to local and away places. To name them in order: HBU Museums, At-the-Movies, Museum of Fine Arts, Bluebonnets & Chappell Hill, Fort Bend Symphony, Lake Conroe cruise, Liberty Opry, Navasota Dinner Theater, and most recently, Kemah Boardwalk. That's right, 9 memorable trips, and you can review them (if you didn't attend) under the Photo Gallery. More chances in 2012 - don't miss out! Jeanne is always open to trip ideas-call her.

Our (exiting) program's chairman, Lonnie Buckner, saw to it that we had some educational speakers at our business luncheons. Five excellent speakers in all: Ray Wathern of DARS on hearing impairments, Shauna Evans of FBCOEM on emergency preparedness, Fran Dillard on the present state of T.I., DPS officer Richard Standifer on traffic laws, fines and safety, and Toni King on medicare. Lonnie was assisted by Bob Gruber and Daryl Moss. See Calendar (left) for our January speaker, and review a synopsis of all our speaker's presentations under the Meetings tab (scroll down).

Thanks to Daryl Moss, our vigor newsletter editor, and Ralph/Estella Garcia for helping with distribution of same. Both he and Lawson Cook, our webmaster, documented our club's activities for all to enjoy. Daryl is reducing his workload in 2012, so expect some vigor changes, e.g., the news will be gathered and edited by Israel Morales, a past TIRET president and club historian.

The Spring Event, Snacks & Bingo+SuperBingo with super prizes, was handled by repeat, resident experts Ralph & Estella Garcia. Many volunteers assisted in setting up, gift distribution, bingo calling, picture taking, etc. As Ralph & Estella withdraw from oversee responsibility, Tony & Susan Leigh stepped for- ward to chair this event in 2012-yea! Thanks to both couples, for past work and future work, respectively.

The TI Retiree BBQ Evening was well planned and coordinated by chairman, Bob Gruber, who also served as M/C. We had over 210 retirees attend, eat a delicious buffet-style BBQ meal, listen to a great band and TI keynote speaker, and enjoy themselves immensely. Review this wonderful evening in word and photos under the Photo Gallery tab. Bob desires to eliminate his huge workload as well, but will assist in training any volunteer.

The Sunshine Committee, faithfully run by Lynn & Don Stefan, continues to mail out sympathy and get well cards to our ailing or surviving family members, as the case may be. Bless you two! Vivian Watkins coordinates the Calling Committee [and make calls, too] whose 12 members attempt to call the many who have no email and tell them of our upcoming meetings or other activities. Tom Johnson, our membership chair for umpteen years, serves to keep track of new members and coordinate awards for best 'new member' recruiter. Tom desires to pass the membership mantle on to some other volunteer, too.

Several of our committees-programs, membership, historian, vigor, BBQ, day trips-need a member(s) to lead or assist. If you have enjoyed the various Club activities, we need you to join the board or volunteer in some capacity. New recruits are needed if the TIRET Club is to continue to thrive. Be proactive -- contact any board member and we can get you started. It's not all that hard. If I can do it, you can too!

As most all of you know, all the incumbent officers were unanimously re-elected for 2012 at the November general meeting, and they shall continue to guide the club for another year. Thank all of you who returned absentee ballots and voted in person! I've enjoyed working with this board. Special thanks to my V.P., Lawson Cook, who has stepped in a couple of times during my absence, and past president, Daryl Moss, for his guidance in bringing me up to speed initially. Teamwork = team fun.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. I encourage you to join us at our next meeting, trip, event (hint! hint!) like the Christmas Party on Dec. 17. Sign up now with Mary, our secretary doing double duty as Christmas Party chair, for our upcoming party (see flyer under Events tab).

Lucy Salas
832-551-8025 lucy_m_salas@yahoo.com

The Texas Instruments Retiree Club of Houston (TIRET) is chartered under the sponsorship of the Hou-Texins Association (HTA). The primary purpose of the TIRET is to provide a social environment encouraging intra fellowship for TI ex-employees and their spouses residing in the greater Houston area. It functions as a venue for education, recreation, entertainment, and self-improvement for the membership.